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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD FRASER
______
HON. NANCY PELOSI
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague Congresswoman
Betty McCollum to honor the life of a dedicated public servant,
Congressman Donald Fraser. A lifelong Minnesotan, Congressman Fraser
devoted his life to fighting for the people of Minneapolis and all
Americans. Whether serving in the Navy during WWII, in the Minnesota
State Senate, in the U.S. Congress or as the longest-serving mayor in
Minneapolis's history, Congressman Fraser was a patriot who never
wavered in his commitment to lifting up hard-working families and
building a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
Congressman Fraser was a true champion for good. Together with his
beloved wife of 68 years, Arvonne, a deeply respected women's rights
advocate, he fiercely promoted human rights and championed progressive
values. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Fraser earned
the respect of all his colleagues on both sides of the aisle as a
skilled and thoughtful legislator. He was a man of quiet dignity, who
allowed the power of his ideas build coalitions for progress.
He believed deeply in the importance of ensuring that our nation's
foreign policy upheld our bedrock principles of liberty, justice and
human rights. Congressman Fraser lived his values through action,
introducing legislation to ensure that American humanitarian aid never
enriched tyrants or enabled oppression and persecution. He was
persistent in his work to deepen America's commitment to democracy, not
only abroad but at home: introducing the Home Rule Act of 1973 to allow
the citizens of our nation's capital the right to self-governance and
have their voices heard.
Congressman Fraser was also a dedicated conservationist who helped
protect many of Minnesota's and America's most beautiful natural
places. As the father of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act,
he helped guarantee that this beautiful landscape would be preserved
and enjoyed by generations of Americans for years to come.
We all saw how much joy Congressman Fraser took in being mayor of
Minneapolis. During his 14 years in office, he brought transformational
change to the city he called home. He prided himself on his ability to
listen to the needs of his constituents and never assumed to know the
answers, but worked to bring people together to address the most
pressing problems facing their community. He distinguished himself as a
champion of early childhood education, recognizing that a free, quality
public education was the key to success for America's young people and
the most effective tool for fulfilling our founding promise of equality
and opportunity for all.
Congressman Fraser has left an enduring legacy of progress for the
people of Minneapolis, communities throughout Minnesota and for all
Americans. May it be a comfort to Thomas, Mary, John, Jean and the
entire Fraser family that Don is now reunited with the love of his
life, Arvonne, and with his beloved Anne and Lois. May it be a comfort
that so many people across the country mourn with and pray for them at
this sad time.
____________________